Changes will come to the Chicago Bulls organization this summer after their disappointing 42-40 regular season. One of those can come from within in the franchise: an improved relationship between Jimmy Butler and Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg.
Last week, the Bulls announced that Jimmy Butler would be their representative at the NBA Draft Lottery. Take it for what you will, but for those that follow the Bulls rather closely, that feels like a pact of respect between the higher-ups and the organization’s biggest asset.
Following the announcement, I wrote on Butler being on the same page with those higher-ups (Bulls general manager Gar Forman and vice president John Paxson) heading into a vital campaign next season.
Along with Butler finding a common ground with his bosses, there’s one other person he must get on the same page with heading into the 2016-17 season: Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg.
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It was quite clear that no matter how many times Hoiberg brushed off questions surrounding his relationship with Butler, the eye test showed that there was something missing and some changes were needed.
“We do have a very good relationship,” Hoiberg told the Chicago Tribune’s K.C. Johnson last week at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago.
“It was great to see him. He was back in town for a few days. I was able to see him in the office (Thursday) morning and then sit here and watch a game with him at the combine.”
Hoiberg also mentioned that this summer is very important for everyone and that he plans on spending more time with Butler throughout the summer months.
(Someone else that was mentioned in the interview that could spend more time with Butler this summer was none other than Butler’s backcourt mate, Derrick Rose.)
Hoiberg’s always been an upbeat guy dating back to his days of winning Big XII Tournament titles at Iowa State. He’s high on Butler, as everyone should be. Despite his faults and a change of attitude, no one within in the organization works harder than him.
Hoiberg recognizes that.
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“You know this: He’ll work on all facets of his game. And he’ll come back a better player, like he has after every summer,” Hoiberg told Johnson.
A particular nugget that stood out from Hoiberg’s interview: the mention of Butler’s ability to be a playmaker.
“Especially at the end of the year, I thought Jimmy was great sharing the ball,” Hoiberg said.
Despite a handful of games at the end of the year becoming rather meaningless, Hoiberg has a point. In the 18 games (after Butler ridiculously played 34 minutes post-injuring his knee in Denver), Butler averaged 6.1 assists per contest and finished the year with a 21.4 assist percentage.
That may be grasping for straws, but it also could mean a small start in terms of the head coach and his best player getting on the same page. Hoiberg’s offense (known as “Hoiball” to many) is about creating good shooting opportunities for everyone and not just the team’s stars.
At times, Butler did look stuck in neutral finding his own game and keen on running a slower, more methodical offense of years past.
Like the now-second-year head coach mentioned in the interview, it’s about “playing with the right pace (one of Hoiberg’s go-to terms) and building the right habits”.
Next: Understanding the Bulls' salary cap situation this summer
Speaking and scouting with your head coach, while planning on working out with your backcourt partner (in the most important season of his career) seem like the right habits to build heading into next season.